Check it out: Print books are back with library’s curbside pickup
By Jan Johnston
Published: June 28, 2020, 6:02am
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This summer will be very different from previous summers.
Travel plans may be altered or put on hold; the last day of school may have been anticlimactic with no in-person goodbyes from teachers and classmates; and outdoor activities may require the use of face masks depending on social distancing guidelines. If it feels like the world has turned upside down, it has.
It feels that way at the library, too, with buildings closed to the public, and interactions between library staff and patrons changed to virtual and online contact only. Things are slowly changing, however, with the ability to offer curbside holds pickup. If you want to know more about this service, be sure to check out our web site, www.fvrl.org, and look for the Curbside Holds Pickup icon.
I’m very excited about this because I feel like I can start recommending print books again. Highlighting our eAudio and eAudiobook collections for the past three months has been fun — and I will continue to include them in future columns — but I love physical books, so here’s to the written word in all formats!
It occurred to me the other day while I was running errands that the errands themselves offered a unique collection of subject matter.
First, I stopped at a jewelry repair shop to get my watchband fixed; next I visited a local bird shop to buy ant moats for my hummingbird feeders; and last but not least, I browsed the shrubbery section at a small nursery (I never get to use the word “shrubbery”). Watches, ants and shrubs — hmm, how can I turn this into a column?
Well, voila! Here is a time/ant/shrub-related reading list. I’ll bet you didn’t know you needed this list, but time, ants and shrubs affect us all…so why not read about them? The target audience for this list is mostly youngsters because what little kid isn’t fascinated with bugs, and learning how to tell time is a critical skill. Shrubbery, on the other hand, may not enthrall little ones (unless they’re full of bugs!), but what adult doesn’t appreciate a good shrub whether it’s in your yard or in your glass?
While you can’t come into the library just yet to check out these titles, you can place them on hold.
As always, have fun reading!
“Adding with Ants” by Tracey Steffora: A children’s book that combines ants and counting? Ant-tastic!
“Bustle in the Bushes” written by Giles Andreae, illustrated by David Wojtowycz: This vibrant and cheerful picture book presents poems about insects.
“Just a Second: A Different Way to Look at Time” written and illustrated by Steve Jenkins: It’s hard to believe that so much can happen in one second, but Steve Jenkins illustrates, literally, the types of things that take place in one teeny, tiny second. I learned that a hummingbird can beat its wings fifty times — wow!
“Mocktails, Punches & Shrubs: Over 80 Nonalcoholic Drinks to Savor and Enjoy” by Vikas Khanna: It turns out that a shrub is delicious – if it’s from the kitchen and not the front yard. Learn how to make nonalcoholic versions which you can use to toast your shrubbery!
“My First Book of Garden Bugs” by Mike Unwin: Bugs, or as the author calls them, “minibeasts,” make for delightful reading for young readers.
“Pruning Simplified: A Visual Guide to 50 Trees and Shrubs” by Steve Bradley: To prune, or not to prune, that is the question. This helpful guide will help you tidy up your rangy trees and bushy bushes.
“Segundos, Minutos y Horas = Seconds, Minutes, and Hours” by Holly Karapetkova; Here is a simple, bilingual introduction to the concept of time.
